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One man rigging
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. Is there
consensus on the best system? Which one do you like? Thanks, Tom |
#2
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 3:39 pm, Tom Nau wrote:
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. Is there consensus on the best system? Which one do you like? Thanks, Tom There are several good systems out there. I used to have one of Udo's, which worked quite well for me. I now have the locally-made (Arizona) WIngRigger, which is somewhat similar to the Udo design, but with a couple of extra features. It has three big wheels - very useful if you're not rigging on a smooth surface - and it doesn't fall over like the Udo if you don't get the legs out (we've all done that!). The WingRigger feature I find most useful is a gas-assist lift mechanism rather than a mechanical or electric screwdrive that some others have. This is simple and holds most of the weight of the wing while you can make fine adjustments. Whatever system you favor, I'd recommend getting your hands on one and seeing it in action. Mike |
#3
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 4:44*pm, Mike the Strike wrote:
On Mar 23, 3:39 pm, Tom Nau wrote: I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. *Is there consensus on the best system? *Which one do you like? *Thanks, Tom There are several good systems out there. *I used to have one of Udo's, which worked quite well for me. *I now have the locally-made (Arizona) WIngRigger, which is somewhat similar to the Udo design, but with a couple of extra features. * *It has three big wheels - very useful if you're not rigging on a smooth surface - and it doesn't fall over like the Udo if you don't get the legs out (we've all done that!). *The WingRigger feature I find most useful is a gas-assist lift mechanism rather than a mechanical or electric screwdrive that some others have. *This is simple and holds most of the weight of the wing while you can make fine adjustments. Whatever system you favor, I'd recommend getting your hands on one and seeing it in action. Mike And, the latest edition has more great features. 1) it breaks down into far smaller (and easier to store in your glider trailer) pieces... sort of an upside down T with short bars and removable axles that fit into each side, both of which can be adjusted to a narrow width or wide stance, and 2) it is powder coated and has a clear coat powder coat on top of that... classy looking and very weather resistant. It comes with your choice of two different shape wing holders (for fat wings like LS-3 or Pik or thin wings like ASW-27, etc). Bob T. 19 |
#4
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 6:39*pm, Tom Nau wrote:
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. *Is there consensus on the best system? *Which one do you like? *Thanks, Tom I've built a number of one-man rigging devices in the past, including the WingMate (http://members.aol.com/wingstand/ )which I sold for a while (and intend to in the future when I have more time, as I've been saying for the past 8 years I've had my current job!). I've used my WingMate nearly 100% of the time since 1982 plus a few others just for comparison. Some questions you should ask: 1. Is this for airport use only? Many systems work great on smooth asphalt. Some work well on smooth grass. I wanted one that worked almost anywhere. There are tradeoffs with any type (see next comment). 2. Is this for convenience, time saving, or back saving? I was focused on the first two; I can normally rig my glider as fast unassisted as with a helper, but I must lift and carry the spar of the wing--and, in a separate step, the wingtip--just like I would with said helper. The wheels on my system are there only to assist in aligning the wingtip fore and aft. Most one-man systems carry the bulk of the wing weight in a solid wheeled carriage (good if your back is sore) but require somewhat more time to set up and rig the glider. 3. Will the wingstand remain set up (in the trailer hangar or van) or will you have to set it up/break it down each time? I needed something that would stow quickly in the front of the trailer. One conventional type I took in trade took nearly as long to assemble for use as the glider did and was so heavy that I hurt my back lifting it (assembled) into my van. But I sold it to a pilot who left it set up in the hangar at his club and he was happy with it. 4. Is this for occasional use, or every time you fly? Rigging a glider isn't idiot proof. Using a one-man rig is even less so and requires practice and care. The potential for damage is higher for several reasons, mostly related to exposure to the wind and not having a helper in case something goes wrong or you do something stupid. I've had a couple of close calls in high winds plus a few bone-headed incidents caused by inattention (none serious) in hundreds of uses. If you're only going to do this once in a great while, I'd advise against it. 5. What type of trailer do you have? Cobras/Komets are easy to adapt. Most others can be made to work with varying amounts of effort and modification depending on the trailer and the wingstand. The original rig by the maker of the Cobra trailer seemed to work well but was heavy and had a number of loose pieces to assemble. I've heard good things about the Udo system. The WingRigger looks like a nice evolution of Udo's rig and perhaps similar to the lightweight Louis Loader which impressed me years ago in CT but which, alas, is no longer made. I'll close by relating something that Karl Striedieck told me. Although I use mine every time I fly and wouldn't leave home without it, apparently they are sometimes referred to in Europe as "no friends" wingstands. Hopefully you aren't interested in this for that reason. Chip Bearden ASW 24 "JB" USA |
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One man rigging
On Mar 24, 2:17*pm, Chip Bearden wrote:
On Mar 23, 6:39*pm, Tom Nau wrote: I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. *Is there consensus on the best system? *Which one do you like? *Thanks, Tom I've built a number of one-man rigging devices in the past, including the WingMate *(http://members.aol.com/wingstand/)which I sold for a while (and intend to in the future when I have more time, as I've been saying for the past 8 years I've had my current job!). I've used my WingMate nearly 100% of the time since 1982 plus a few others just for comparison. Some questions you should ask: 1. Is this for airport use only? Many systems work great on smooth asphalt. Some work well on smooth grass. I wanted one that worked almost anywhere. There are tradeoffs with any type (see next comment). 2. Is this for convenience, time saving, or back saving? I was focused on the first two; I can normally rig my glider as fast unassisted as with a helper, but I must lift and carry the spar of the wing--and, in a separate step, the wingtip--just like I would with said helper. The wheels on my system are there only to assist in aligning the wingtip fore and aft. Most one-man systems carry the bulk of the wing weight in a solid wheeled carriage (good if your back is sore) but require somewhat more time to set up and rig the glider. 3. Will the wingstand remain set up (in the trailer hangar or van) or will you have to set it up/break it down each time? I needed something that would stow quickly in the front of the trailer. One conventional type I took in trade took nearly as long to assemble for use as the glider did and was so heavy that I hurt my back lifting it (assembled) into my van. But I sold it to a pilot who left it set up in the hangar at his club and he was happy with it. 4. Is this for occasional use, or every time you fly? Rigging a glider isn't idiot proof. Using a one-man rig is even less so and requires practice and care. The potential for damage is higher for several reasons, mostly related to exposure to the wind and not having a helper in case something goes wrong or you do something stupid. I've had a couple of close calls in high winds plus a few bone-headed incidents caused by inattention (none serious) in hundreds of uses. If you're only going to do this once in a great while, I'd advise against it. 5. What type of trailer do you have? Cobras/Komets are easy to adapt. Most others can be made to work with varying amounts of effort and modification depending on the trailer and the wingstand. The original rig by the maker of the Cobra trailer seemed to work well but was heavy and had a number of loose pieces to assemble. I've heard good things about the Udo system. The WingRigger looks like a nice evolution of Udo's rig and perhaps similar to the lightweight Louis Loader which impressed me years ago in CT but which, alas, is no longer made. I'll close by relating something that Karl Striedieck told me. Although I use mine every time I fly and wouldn't leave home without it, apparently they are sometimes referred to in Europe as "no friends" wingstands. Hopefully you aren't interested in this for that reason. Chip Bearden ASW 24 "JB" USA We use small wing-root dollies and a wing stand with roller on top made from hardware store supplies. Very inexpensive (less then $50) and simple to use. The best part is the wing stays very low when wheeling it around into position (no tipping over). The root dolly is hinged where the spar sits so we can transition the wings from vertical to flat before lifting the tip to get it onto the roller stand. The root stays on the dolly until it's time to insert the spar into the fuselage. At that point, the wing is almost centered on the roller stand, so the root end is pretty light to lift. The roller on the stand allows me to easily "roll" the wing into the fuselage while I guide the pins home. The only heavy lifting is the 3 or 4 seconds to lift the root spar off the trailer dolly and onto the wheeled wing- root dolly. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to get the wings rigged using this setup. (I have an LS1f by the way) |
#6
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 6:39�pm, Tom Nau wrote:
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. �Is there consensus on the best system? �Which one do you like? �Thanks, Tom Like so many procedures in rigging/derigging what it takes is frequent practise to get the system to work well for you . I have had an Udo system for many years and have found it to be an excellent one . For example I find that setting the wingstand heights to the rigged height of the wings really helps when it comes to sliding the wings into place . Too high or too low obviously makes for a much longer rigging process . I'd say I can rig on my own in less than 5 minutes with the system after the first few times each new season. Ron (ZA) |
#7
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 6:39 pm, Tom Nau wrote:
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. Is there consensus on the best system? Which one do you like? Thanks, Tom I'll give another vote for Udo's version. Its incredibly strong and secure. It only takes about 1-2 minutes to get out of my trailer and assembled. The wing is held in the saddle very securely. I like the mechanical screw height adjustment because it is repeatable. You can eyeball the root and think "needs about 3 turns up", make the adjustment and check alignment. Takes me about 15 min from start to fully assemble (not tape) a Grob 102 by myself. Todd 3S |
#8
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One man rigging
On Mar 23, 3:39*pm, Tom Nau wrote:
I am considering purchasing a one-man rigging system. *Is there consensus on the best system? *Which one do you like? *Thanks, Tom I use the WingRigger. I was an early customer so I didn't get the later mods. I'm not concerned about that since it works very well. I rig my 28 solo with it and several times have been able to get both wings on without any readjustment of the wing position. It takes me probably less than 3-5 minutes longer to rig with the WIngRigger than with an experienced helper. Add a couple of minutes for getting it out of the trailer. That's much better than waiting half an hour for the next pilot to arrive at the field. It's so easy to use that I often rig solo even when help is available. I find removal of the wings a little more awkward than assembly and usually get help if someone is nearby. On the other hand I have removed the wings solo with winds gusting over 15kts and been just as comfortable as if I had used a live helper. The WingRigger avoids any heavy root lifting and there is less risk of the spar damaging the fuselage than if an inexperienced helper is used. I have not used Udo's rig so can't compare the two. Andy |
#9
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One man rigging
I find removal of the wings a little more awkward than assembly and usually get help if someone is nearby. *On the other hand I have removed the wings solo with winds gusting over 15kts and been just as comfortable as if I had used a live helper. Andy, when de-rigging, I set the wing rigger all the way down then put it in place on the first wing. I then lift the other wing and put in the wing stand. I have di-rigged in 20 knot winds (solo), but the trailer must be in line with the wind and keep the wing horizontal until you get aligned with the trailer before you rotate to the vertical...................some have called wing assembly tools, "wing destroyers", but they have tried to put wings away without aligning the trailer into the prevailing wind. My rule is simple; Above 10 knots of cross-wind, either re-position the trailer or don't de-rig! On assembly, I set the fuselage hydraulic jack a tad low, then simply pump with one foot as I watch the main wing pin holes come into alignment and help them a tad with my hunk of broom handle...........slick'er 'en snot! JJ |
#10
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One man rigging
If using a rigging dolly in wild, it's best to have a helper. The
helper should be at the dolly, NOT at the wingtip. I always keep the leading edge down while maneuvering because this lowers the CG a bit, lets me see where the wheels are and the wing won't shift in the cradle like it can with it flat. The assistant's job is to hold the trailing edge clamp hardware and push/pull to keep the rig from tipping over. I also follow JJ's process regarding pin alignment, doing all height adjustments with the hydraulic fuselage jack. -Tom |
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